DEAR GOD DO I HAVE CARPAL TUNNEL?!?!?!

[YL_Bass]

I 'thought' I sprained my wrist about 2 weeks ago. But the last week and a half I realized it still hurt when I was putting my hand in certain positions + my thumb occasionally feels numb, as does my pinky when I play.

I'm super careful with keeping up with proper technique (left hand by the way) and keep my bass at the same level it is when I play sitting down.


Any Bpers/docs?

[Greevus]

thumb and pinky are good signs of possible CTS. you CAN manage and even get rid of it.
i switched my computer mouse to my left hand and it's made a huge difference for me. sleeping with a wrist splint helps mobilize it and lets the swelling go down. stretching is great, warming up too. i took steroidal drugs years ago and when i quit them, it was great. it is very common for bassists, btw. if it's really aching, you need to give it some rest. i've found learning to change my grip, positions, action, etc, can all make differences. good luck man. there's a bunch of other threads with really good info in them on here. another thing is don't push it when in pain. i made that error early on trying to be manly about it. listen to your body.

[Meatbass]

Regular massages can help carpel tunnel before and after. Look into it.

[MrWalker]

I don't have CTS, but I have had "tennis elbow" a couple times, which can give the same type of symptoms. So i wouldn't panic just yet. Go see your GP and pay some real attention to your work positions (and your bass playing technique).

Good luck!

EDIT: And to answer the topic title question: Yes, you do. We all do. *lol* It's there... it's just not causing all of us a problem, fortunately!

[YL_Bass]

Maybe its tennis elbow.....


I'll just say I don't play tennis....

[knucklehead G]

Where is it causing pain? Carpal tunnel would be hurting in the palms of your hands at the bass of your fingers, like on the bottoms of your knuckles.

Then again there is regular old tendonitis, which is causes from too much of anything fun really. I've had an issue with this recently and been through physical therapy and they gave me a few stretches to do, but honestly the doctor had me use this hand exerciser thing almost identical to the Planet Waves Varigrip minus the callus builder which seemed to help more than the stretching.

I picked one up for $11 and use it when I'm sitting around the computer and it has greatly cut down on pain and discomfort while playing. Plus I can pretend I'm doing something worthwhile for my playing, too.

[fearceol]

Get it checked out by a medical expert.

[ausf]

Go to the doctor. Nerve entrapment can be anywhere, wrist, elbow, neck, etc. Could be a simple case of stretching out, but it's not for us to diagnose.

I thought I had CTS, but it was originating from my spine. Too many variables, let the pros look at it.